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After an incredible ten years on the Tour that made him one of the greatest players of all time, Rafael Nadal began to lose steam in the second half of 2014 due to injuries. Winning just a couple of ATP titles at the end of 2016, Rafa struggled to find form in those years and challenge rivals from the top.
Nonetheless, the Spaniard remained in the top-10 despite taking just one Masters 1000 title, making a full recovery before 2017 and returning to where he belongs. Rafa captured six trophies in 2017, including two Majors and two Masters 1000 tournaments to win No.
1 for the first time in 2013 and complete an impressive comeback. Nadal has never broken out of the top-6 again despite more injury problems in previous years, with 20 Major titles and 36 Masters 1000 crowns and as one of the most accomplished players in history.
The Spaniard added a Major and three Masters 1000 trophies to his account in 2018 and spent most of the season at the top before Novak Djokovic passed him in the final stages after Rafa closed out the year following the semi-final loss.
of the US Open against Juan Martín Del Potro. Nadal returned with more vitality in 2019, choosing his schedule wisely and delivering consistent results and four notable titles to reclaim the ATP throne from Novak and become No.
1 in ATP history at age 33 (Djokovic would take that record away from him in 2020). Some injuries occurred again, but they could not disturb the rhythm of the Spaniard.
Uncle Toni talks about Nadal
Each interview given by Toni Nadal is an inexhaustible catalog of interesting confessions and words that invite deep reflection on Rafael Nadal's career and everything that has surrounded it.
The uncle of the Balearic Islands went through the Tres Iguales podcast, where he addressed matters of enormous interest and left very notable statements on how to tactically face battles against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the future that awaits tennis and the evolution and beginnings of his nephew, as well as the scenario that is drawn in a short-term future taking into account the injury that has prevented him from competing in the second half of 2021.
Interestingly, Toni's confession about the players he looked at to cement the tennis growth of his nephew. "When he was a child I always wanted to make him a mix between Vilas and Connors. Making him a very intense player was essential, but also that he had winning shots.
I spent many years working the drive with him so that he could connect winners in any context and his ability to improve, especially with the crossed backhand, has been decisive, "he said. "The truth is that when Rafa emerged, you could see that Roger was going to be one of the best in history.
As soon as we saw Novak, we realized that he was special. As for Rafa, it was when he completed the Grand Slam, with 24 years, when I knew that he would fight to be the best in history."
